Fluid torque converter



as by bolts 28.

shroud 42 Patented Feb. 18, 1947 UNITED srAri-z FLUID 'ronQUacoNvER'rEn l P Harvey c. swift, Detroit, Aviation Corporation,

ration oi Delaware Mich., assignor to Bendix Detroit, Mich., a corpo-- i 1 Application october 3o, 1944, sensu No. 561,075

6 Claims.

This invention relates to iluid drives, and more particularly vto that class` generally known as fluidl torque' converters.

Broadly the invention comprehends a fluid torque converter including a retractable reaction member, and means controlled by movement of the member operative to hold the member against movement after initial movement thereof.

An object of the invention isv to provide a fluid torque`converter having iluid pressure actuated means for holding the reaction. memberof the converter against movement when torque multipllcation is required.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description when taken in connection with the drawing forming a part of this speciiieation, and in which,

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a iiuid torque converter embodying the invention, parts being broken away; and v Fig. 2 .is a detail -view illustrating the fluid pressure unit for the brake.

Referring to the drawing for more specific detailsof the invention, I8 represents a bell housing having a concentrically disposed hub l2 supporting a bearing |4. The bell housing isadapted to be bolted or otherwise secured to the crankcase of an internal combustion engine in axialA alignment with the crankshaft 4I8 of the engine. The shaft has a conventional flange` |8 and an axial recess 28.'

A torque converterv indicated generally at 22 is enclosed in the bell housing I8. The converter includes a two-part housing 24 secured together The housing has a concentrically disposed hub 28 secured to the flange I8 as by bolts 38, and tted in the hub Ais a bearing` 82.

The housing also has a hub 34 arrangedin oppositely disposed relation to the hub 28, and a uid seal is iitted in the hub 84.

An impeller indicated generally at 88 includes a plurality of spaced blades 48 suitably secured to the inner wall of the housing 24, and an inner supported by the blades.

A sleeve 44 journaled in thebearing i4 of the bell housing IllA extends into the housing 24 and outwardly beyond the wall of the "bell housing.

l Suitable means is provided to inhibit axial movement of the sleeve, and a driven shaft 48 e`x'- ltended through the sleeve 44 is journaled on the bearing 82 in the hub of the housing 24.

A two-stage'turbine 48 suitable for cooperation with the impeller 88 provides in conjunction therewith a iiuid circuit I8. The turbine includes a hub I2 splined to .the driven shaft 4 8. The

constitute the second 'an inner shroud 2 hub has a radial flange 54 and spaced vanes 58 secured to the web support, 88 for cooperation with the inner shroud`42 of the impeller, and the inner shroud 88 has secured thereto spaced vanes 82 supporting an outer shroud 84. The vanes 62 constitute the first stage of the turbine. and the vanes 58 stage of the turbine. The sleeve 44 hereinabove referred to has a threaded portion 88 and a radial flange 88 on that end of the sleeve adjacent the threaded portion. The other. end of the sleeve has a reduced portion 18 splined for the reception of a brake drum 12 tted thereon and vsecured against displacement as by a nut 14 threaded on the reduced portion. f

1 A brake band v18 for cooperation with the drum 12 is controlled as by a fluid pressure actuated unit. 18. This unit includes a cylinder 88 having er 84 connected to the brake band as by a lever 88 and a push lrod 88. The piston is normally held in retracted positionby springs88 and 92 interposed between the piston and the head of the cylinder.- .When the piston is in retracted position, the brake band 18 is applied to the drum 12 with suiilcient force to inhibit rotation thereof.

A reaction member indicated generally at 94 includes acarrier 96 mounted for travel on the threaded portion 88 of the sleeve 44. The carrier has thereon a'web 98 supporting spaced reaction vanes |88 movable into and out of the circuit between the first and second stagespf` the turbine.

The fluid system for 'the converter includes a. supply pipe |82 leading from a suitable source of fluid supply, not shown, to a passage |84 in the wall of the bell housing. The passage |84 communicates witha passage |88 in the sleeve 44, which in turn communicates with a radial passage |88 in the driven shaft, and the passage |88 communicates with a passage ||8 extended axially through the shaft. The passage ||8 is connected by a passage ||2 and a port ||4 to a passage I8 leading to the iluid circuit 58. Fluid is returned from the circuit' by way of the clearance around the reaction member to the housing.

24, thence through a passage ||8 in the sleeve the fluid pressure actuated Aunit 18, and a pipe4 supporting a web 58,

' impeller 38 the fluid .in the releasing the holding means;

l rotatable sleeve, a reaction l the sleeve intoand out of the circuit,`means for line |28 connects the cylinder 80 to a passage |30 in the wall of the bell housing I0. The passage |30 communicates with a passage |32 in the sleeve 44 discharging through a port |34 controlled by the carrier 96.

In a normal operation, upon rotation o f the circuit 50 is energized and the energy of the fluid is received on the first and second stages of the ,turbine and also on the faces of the reaction vanes |00, causingV the reaction vanes to move quickly into the circuit.

Concomitantly with this operatlomthe hub of the reaction member uncovers the port |34. This results in relief of pressure in the iluid pressure unit 18, whereupon the springs 90 and 92 become effective to apply the brake 16 soas to hold the sleeve 44 and` accordingly the reaction member 94 against movement so as to attain torque multiplication.

Upon attaining a predetermined speed, the flow of fluid in the circuit changes and impinges on the backs of the reaction vanes |00. This causes the reaction member to move quickly out of the circuit. As the reaction member returns to its retracted position; the port |34 is closed, and this results in introducing pressure in the fluid actuatedunit 18, whereupon the -springs 90 and 92' are compressed so as to release the brake 16, and thereafter the apparatus operates as a fluid coupling. v y

While this invention has been described in connection with certain specific embodiments, the principle involved is susceptible of numerous other yapplications that will readily occur Ato persons skilled in the art. The invention is, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the various features of the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1'. A fluid transmission comprising primary means for energizing fluid and secondary means for receiving energy from Lthe fluid providing in conjunction with one another a fluid circuit, a reaction member movable into and out of the circuit, means for holding the member against movement when in the circuit and fluid pressurey means under control of the reaction member for 2. A fluid transmission comprising primary means for energizing fluid and secondary means j for receiving energy from the fluid providing in /for receiving energy from the l for the brake.

conjunction with one another a fluid circuit, a.

member movable on and out of the sleeve against movement upon initial movement.

of the member into the circuit and fluid pressure means 'under control of the reaction member operative to release the holding means.

4. A fluid transmission comprising primary meansy for energlzinguid and secondary means fluid yproviding in conjunction with one another a sleeve, a reaction member mounted on the sleeve forrotation and for axial movement into and out of the circuit, and fluid pressure actuated means controlled by the reaction member. 5. A fluid with one another a fluid circuit, a rotatable, sleeve, 'a reaction member movable on the sleeve, a brake drum on the sleeve, a brake shoe forcooperation therewith,

control of the reaction member.

6. vA .fluid transmissiony comprising a driving circuit, a rotatable sleeve on the driven shaft, a

brake on the sleeve, a reaction member mounted on the sleevefffor relative rotation and for axial movement into pressure'actuated means for the brake under control of the reaction member.k e HARVEY C. SWIFT.

REFEREN CITED Thev following references are of Irecord in the flle of this patent:

` UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name I Date 2,342,208 Miner Feb. 22, 1944 2,235,370v Jandasek Mar. 1s, 1941 2,327,647 Janaasek Aug. 24, 194s' fluid powertransmitting circuit, a rotatable sleeve, a brake for the and out of the circuit, and fluid 

